Real People, Real Life, Real God

You can listen to the "Real People, Real Life, Real God" message by clicking here (or right-click to download) (by Catherine Matlock, 33 mins).


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The Heart of a Worshipper

You can listen to the "Heart of a Worshipper" message by clicking here (or right-click to download) (by the Worship Team, 36 mins).


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A Heart That Lets God be God

You can listen to the "Heart That Let's God Be God" message by clicking here (or right-click to download) (by Dave Vinall, 32 mins).

The Story of David
Read 1 Samuel chapters 24 to 28.

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Hardship
Read about Saul’s amazing ministry time in 1 Samuel chapters 9 and 10. Have you ever had an amazing experience of God intervening in your life?

Have you ever had times when you’ve desperately wanted God to act but he hasn’t? How did you handle this? How did it change your relationship with God? What happened in the end?

Read Hebrews 12:7-13. How do you feel about the idea of God disciplining you? Does it feel positive or negative? How is this idea modelled in the way people raise their own children?

The end and the means
What key principles do you try to live your life by? Have these ever been tested by an opportunity that tempts you to break the principle? What happened? What would have been the best outcome of that incident?

How important is your character to you? Being honest with yourself, would you rather people talked about what you had achieved or what type of person you are? What do you think God thinks?

Your responsibility… God’s responsibility
Do you ever worry about things you can’t do anything about? How could you worry less? Read Philippians 4:4-9 (it’s great in The Message). Write down every practical tip that Paul recommends you do. Try practising his advice.

Where should you be making more effort? How can you do this so that you can be conscious of God’s involvement and help in your effort?

If you are currently experiencing a hard time and unsure what to do, what would be the ‘faith position’? Could you do this? What would make this difficult or easy?

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The Heart of a Friend Sunday 28th June 2009

You can listen to the "Heart of a Friend" message by clicking here (or right-click to download) (by Dave Vinall, 34 mins).

The Story of David
Read 1 Samuel chapters 20 to 23.

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Acquaintances
After a busy week how do you like to recharge your batteries? Would you rather meet up with a group of friends, or be with just one or two people, or be alone? What does this tell you about your personal level for friendship? What are the advantages or disadvantages of being like this?

This week try to practice friendliness. You don’t need to chat to everyone you see, just try to take a small step out of your comfort zone, whether that is smiling at someone, chatting to your neighbour or speaking to a stranger.

Friends
How many friends do you have? How does this fit with your personality type (as looked at above)? What do you feel marks the line between someone being an acquaintance and a friend?

How are you a good friend to people? How could you be a better friend to people?

Covenant Friends
Do you have anyone who you would say is a covenant friend? If so, do they know?

Read Proverbs 27:6. Has a friend ever told you something painful about yourself? How did you handle it? Have you ever had to ask tough questions of a friend? How did you do it? How would you do it next time?

Think about who fulfils the role of a covenant friend in your life. Talk to them about it. If there’s no one, who could do it? If you still are unsure ask God to provide someone.

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Knowing In Your Heart Sunday 14th June, 2009

You can listen to the "Knowing in your Heart" message by clicking here (or right-click to download).

The Story of David
Read 1 Samuel chapters 17 to 19. You can also read Psalms 8, 9, 86 and 144 (many people think David wrote these Psalms around the time of the events in the 1 Samuel chapters).

How Big Is Your God?
In what areas of your life do you come across things that you struggle to believe even God could overcome? Why do you believe that? Is it past experiences? If so, think and pray back through those things, try to see how God was working despite the pain and hardship.

What are you doing to get to know God better? How could you worship more (by worship I mean remembering things God has done and thinking about what God is like)?

Everyday Heart Exercises
Where are you struggling on a day-by-day basis to trust God? How might you be able to learn to trust God here? How could you step out in faith? What is God asking you to do?

Being True-Hearted
How comfortable are you in your own skin? What do you think God thinks about you? Is there a difference between what your head thinks and what your heart believes?

David couldn’t wear Saul’s armour. Read Ephesians 6:10-18. What would this armour be for you? How could you take these spiritual disciplines and work them into your own life in a way that is appropriate and personal for you?

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The Heart's Journey Sunday 7th June, 2009

You can listen to "The Heart's Journey" message here or download by right-clicking and choosing download.

The Story of David
Read 1 Samuel 8:1-9:2 and 1 Samuel 15:22-16:23 (this gives you the main points in the story, but you can read the chapters in between if you have time)

The Heart’s Journey
In the rush of everyday life, how much attention or consideration do you give to your heart? Read and think about Proverbs 4:23. How might you guard your heart? How might it be the wellspring of life? Read John 4:1-26 and think about verse 14.

What state is your heart in? What aspects of your life are you doing with “all your heart”? Are these things worthwhile? Or if there isn’t anything, why not?

What condition is your heart currently in? What hurts do you carry on your heart? Are they raw, toughened with scar tissue or have they been healed? Think about the area the hurt was in and the place you go for comfort. Read Galatians 5:16-26 and think about how you compare to the two lists Paul gives. This may help you judge the state of your heart in these areas.

Read 2 Corinthians 4:16-18. What might we learn from Paul’s advice to help us keep our heart healthy?

Further Reading About The Heart
Waking the Dead by John Eldredge – available to borrow from the library at The Hub.

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